Most simply stated, you are trying to teach us to think for ourselves. Instead of viewing law and life as a mechanical application of objective rules with logically predictable outcomes, you demonstrated , fairly effectively I believe, that society is not so simple.

The practice of law or any trade, is ultimately performed by humans, and consequently, will always contain a powerful human element. To use the terminology of class, the outcome of any endeavor is inextricable mixed with form and content, and if we are to be successful we must take note of both.

The example that most clearly demonstrates this for me is the classes discussion on rape shield laws. What impressed me was not the open forum, nor your frank comments, such as the legal system was entirely male dominated before 1970; it was the structure of the discussion followed by your own views. Everyone attempted to identify a logical justification that would clearly delineate the limits of witness privilege. Finally, when others had not encountered much success, you noted that there was none. A much more effective method of viewing privilege was as a struggle for political power. The reason I thought this structure was so effective, is that it caused students to apply legal rationale to a real problem that was important to them, and one where logic was clearly insufficient by itself. Unless they realized that the final link any an chain is a human one, they would have been forever perplexed in a maze of logic.

Unfortunately, some people confuse the medium with the message. They think of you as "Good Time Charlie" who teaches a blowoff class. I despise their ignorance. It fully demonstrates to me that they are the ones in most need of help. They fear learning that is not structured, because that’s all they know, and the only area where they have previously excelled. Pervious attempts to achieve success in unstructured environment have failed, otherwise, they would not be at Harvard Law School.

This is not to say that everyone thinks this way, and the ones who do not are able to take the greatest advantage of the message. I for one greatly appreciated not only the content, but the opportunity for free thought, and a reminder that ultimately the path we choose in life is our own. As such, we are free to choose beliefs and lifestyles that are not deemed proper within the mold society frequently proffers as accepted, but we are required to pay the costs of such a choice.

This leads me to the last very valuable lesson you may have unknowingly taught. The cost of this alternative lifestyle is not nearly as large as I may have thought. You have achieved immense success, and yet, you still have fun. You still enjoy life. You still party pretty hard. The relatively minor cost you have had to incur is gossip and disapproval in some circles.